The Lady of the Lake Had Bouffant Hair (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9798888381991)

The Lady of the Lake Had Bouffant Hair is a book of poems which explore the life of a neglected girl, growing up in the 1970's and 1980's, who suffered a tragic childhood at the hands of her broken parents. The stories take place in the heart of Virginia's Appalachian Mountains. You feel the cadence of the speech and eloquent, yet down home vernacular of the author and her characters. These poems are steeped in dysfunction, resilience, hope, superstition, magic, and imagination. Clevinger's writing speaks to a woman's soul, to a woman's struggle, and to a woman's growth throughout her lifetime. These themes are grappled with as the author's younger persona listens under tables in smoke filled rooms and hides for safety in closets. The author mixes nostalgic Appalachian ways of life, with the modern tragedies of poverty, and how such poverty becomes generational, often impacting mental health. Clevinger shares her experiences with her mother, who has now passed since this book has been picked up for publication. She opens up about her mother's struggle with mental illness and her father's alcoholism. Many readers have said that they have enjoyed reading these poems, because they read as a story. Some have even shared, "I usually hate poetry, but I love these poems." The author loves that her writing is accessible, relatable art. When Clevinger tells people about her writing she laughs and says, "Counseling is so important and unfortunately expensive, when the money runs out I write." Of course she follows up with, "Getting help from a counselor is worth every penny, but for me, writing is such a key piece in dealing with all the emotions I still feel when remembering my past traumas." You will not be disappointed when you choose to put on a pot of coffee, don your lipstick (if you wear it) to tattoo the rim of the cup, and cuddle up with The Lady of the Lake Had Bouffant Hair.